E3 2007: Switchball Hands-On

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Switch up your roll with this physics-based puzzler.

By Nix

Developer Atomic Elbow (based in Sweden) has brought to the Xbox 360 Marketplace (already available on PC) a simple yet enjoyable downloadable puzzler called Switchball. Using physics for man of its puzzles and gameplay challenges, the game is a nice little action puzzler that combines elements of Super Monkey Ball, Mercury and Marble Madness.

Played in full 3D environments, players can expect 30 levels (with four multiplayer stages added to the Xbox 360 version) of twisty pipes and ledges that players will need to navigate their marble around on. The game uses physics to set up challenges, so if there are blocks in your way, you will need to get a running roll to knock them out of your way. The game uses Ageia's PhysX system, so the feel of the marble's weight and its interaction with the environment feels solid. The physical creation of the world also allows puzzles to be solved in unique ways for those who get creative -- there may even be ways through a stage that the creators never thought of.

The "Switchball" of the title comes into play when you roll through switch gates to transform your ball into different forms. There's the regular Marble, the Metal ball, the Charge ball (which can build up a static charge to be used to zap itself up steep ramps, and the Helium ball that can float. Each stage requires that you change your form often, and while the beginning stages are linear in design and in how often you can change forms, later stages will require you to use your Switchball in creative ways to finish the stage.

A simple game that follows expectations of what a Live Marketplace game should be, Switchball stands above the typical fare with its attractive 3D graphics and creative use of physics. Look for it this fall on Xbox 360.